Governor’s rule: Farooq takes moral high ground on favourite golf course

In New Delhi, where Congress president Sonia Gandhi spoke to several leaders after her arrival from Bangalore tonight, AICC general secretary Ambika Soni, said: ‘‘Why should the Governor rule affect the situation? Ghulam Nabi Azad is in regular touch with the party president.’’

Raj Bhavan sources said that Governor’s rule will ‘‘cease to exist’’ as soon as any party or formation stakes claim with 44 MLAs.

Despite talks with the Prime Minister and the Governor earlier in the day, Abdullah refused to continue in office.

Significantly, he also claimed today that his party was not averse to supporting Independents from outside for the next government—a statement that was seized upon by Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi of the Democratic People’s Forum to put pressure on the Congress.

He told The Indian Express: ‘‘If Congress and the PDP don’t sort out their differences, we will explore other possibilities. We can even consider seeking outside support from the National Conference.’’

For Farooq Abdullah, however, it was perhaps only fitting that on his last day as CM, he was teeing off at the Royal Spring golf course in Srinagar.

Abdullah, whose visible closeness to the game was cited as one of the reasons for his distance from his people, was called to inaugurate the 6th All India Police Golf Tournament. The original guest of honour was to have been the Governor who shied off saying he was unwell.

Abdullah later addressed a press conference, where he said he had no ‘‘moral right to stay in power after midnight tonight.’’ And that he had no ‘‘intention to continue as caretaker chief minister’’. He said he had spoken to Saxena, and he hoped the Governor would ‘‘understand my feelings.’’

Would Abdullah continue playing golf? ‘‘If God would provide a golf course up there as well, I would play there too,’’ he said.

Abdullah said he was not in favour of Governor’s rule. ‘‘I want an elected government to assume office in the state as soon as possible. How long can I continue to be caretaker chief minister? I cannot do any work and am not in a position to take any decision in the interests of the people,’’ he said.

‘‘There is no fun in sitting in the chair as the caretaker chief minister for the sake of it. I told the governor that I do not want to continue and therefore make some alternate arrangements,’’ Abdullah said.